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Population Densities at Black Rock Forest





Grade Levels

9th-12th

Subjects

Science
Living Environment

Keywords

Ecology, Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Population, Species, Community, Diversity, Population Density, Producer, Consumer, Carrying Capacity, Ecological Succession, Species, Individual, Abiotic, Biotic

Forest Locations

Science

Upper Reservoir

Aleck Meadow

Black Rock



Download Trail Map




Materials

Population Density Laboratory Investigation Packet https://www.newburghschools.org/webapps/blackrock/lessons/LES7/Population%20Densities%20at%20Black%20Rock%20Forest.docx
Meter Stick
Popsicle Sticks
String
Calculators

Schedule

Time Estimate

Activities

Key Questions

Pre-Lab

Discussion and create a hypothesis to be investigated on the trip to Black Rock Forest

Students have previously been introduced to the topic of ecology and some of the keywords.

What abiotic factors can influence plant growth?

20 Minutes

Demonstrate the lab procedure in the Science Center (The location of the bus drop off)

Distribute laboratory investigation materials

How can I successfully complete the procedure to conduct this laboratory investigation?

15 Minutes

Hike to The Upper Reservoir

 

30 Minutes

Collect data on Population Density of the specific location

What are the characteristics of this location? Which plant species seems to be the most abundant?

40 Minutes

Hike to Aleck Meadow

 

30 Minutes

Collect data on Population Density of the specific location

What are the characteristics of this location? Which plant species seems to be the most abundant?

45 Minutes

Hike to Black Rock

 

30 Minutes

Lunch

 

50 Minutes

Hike back to the Science Center

What are the abiotic factors that can influence an ecosystem?

15 Minutes

Discuss initial observations

Did anything stand out in this laboratory investigation? Can I make any correlations about the study?

Post-Lab Data Analysis

Class will organize all the data to analyze it. The teacher will facilitate the organization of all data.

How do specific factors influence the population density of a specific species?

Homework

Students will complete the laboratory investigation write-up.

What would be the next study that could be conducted? What would I do differently if the lab was conducted again?

Pre-Forest Activity

Discussion and create a hypothesis to be investigated on the trip to Black Rock Forest

Students have previously been introduced to the topic of ecology and some of the keywords.

Forest Activity

Demonstrate the lab procedure in the Science Center (The location of the bus drop off)

Distribute laboratory investigation materials

Hike to The Upper Reservoir

Collect data on Population Density of the specific location

Hike to Aleck Meadow

Collect data on Population Density of the specific location

Hike to Black Rock

Lunch

Hike back to the Science Center

Discuss initial observations

Post-Forest Activity

Post-Lab Data Analysis

Class will organize all the data to analyze it. The teacher will facilitate the organization of all data.

Homework

Students will complete the laboratory investigation write-up.

Assessments

Students will be assessed using the population density laboratory investigation packet and completion of the laboratory investigation write-up. The summative assessment associated with this lab will be the unit examination on ecology.





Learning Standards

Next Generation Science Standards: High School Life Sciences

HS-LS2-1. Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of biotic and abiotic factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.

HS-LS2-2. Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.

HS-LS2-6. Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.

Crosscutting Concepts
Stability and Change: Much of science deals with constructing explanations of how things change and how they remain stable. (HS-LS2-6),(HSLS2-7)

Curriculum

The lesson will be about population density and ties into the ecology unit of the Living Environment course.

Objectives

Students will be able to investigate the influence different environmental factors have on population density.

Students will be able to state the difference between biotic and abiotic factors.

Students will be able to discuss the different abiotic factors that can be investigated.

Students will be able to explore the correlation between population of one species and relative amount of another species.

Background

The population density laboratory investigation is a useful tool for demonstrating key concepts discussed in the notes and articles because knowing the number of specific species in a location can indicate certain changes in the environment.

Safety Concerns

Students will be investigating population density in a forest and should be conscious of the living organisms. Students should not litter and all garbage should be taken with the students out of the forest.

Comments

Special Education/ELL Considerations:

Monitor special education and ELL students throughout the laboratory investigation. Any student that is having problems getting started with the lab should immediately be guided. Be sure to clarify any directions that aren’t understood by students. A follow-up discussion the day after the trip can help to ensure all students understand the information addressed.